Author's Note: Okay you guys, I know you've all forgotten about me by now. I'm so sorry that I've been gone this long. Let's just say that I died and only just came back to life this past week so I have a good excuse for not writing. I know this chapter is choppy and quick but I felt bad and wanted to get a chapter up for those who still care. It's more of a personal one for Syra so... yea. Usually, if I leave a story for this long it goes into the abyss that is my mind. But for some reason this story clung on to life. If any of you out there still want me to write it it'd be great for you to comment and let me know... because I literally have no motivation to write if there is no one reading out there. So let me know what you think. Also, I painted a picture of Syra and made it my profile picture so if any of you care to see it's there! (unless my computer lied to me, which it has before). So Sorry again! Thanks to those who still want to read.


"It had been a long time," was all I could think as I stared up into her dark amber eyes.

I'd like to say that I didn't stand there like an idiot with my mouth hanging open in shock or my eyes opened wider than lightcycle wheels but... I did. It took a good five seconds of gawking for my mind to finally catch up with the shock. Once it did, the protective fear that had been harboring itself in the back of my mind these past few millicycles rushed forward. With the terror for my self preservation kicking in, my mouth snapped shut and I straightened in posture, regaining a calm composure, the kind I used when informing a patient's friends about a serious injury.

"Ah, yes," I say, placing a hand on my hip. "Commander Paige. It's... been some time hasn't it? I weren't aware that you had reached such a high level of authority... so soon."

She glances at me for a few more moments, taking in the details with her eyes. For the most part I stand calmly under her scrutiny. That is not so true when her eyes graze my chest and linger on the three green marking that sit there, distinguishing my authority as a senior medical personnel.

"Hello, Syra," she greets politely but not very warmly. "It has been awhile hasn't it? You're correct when you say my advance to Commander was quick but I think Tesler knows good skills when he sees them."

I nod, trying to suppress all of the memories zipping through my mind. "Well that's good," I say. "Do you enjoy being a... soldier?"

She opens her mouth to reply but falters. Just for a second, but it was enough for me to see the hesitation in her eyes. Then again, I probably would've been able to tell anyways. Those kind of senses don't just leave overnight after you've known someone for that long.

"Yes," she says after the quick recovery. "It's a very fulfilling position."

"So was being a medic," I blurt.

And there it was. Both of our pasts up for grabs thanks to that one sentence. We stared at each other for one tense moment that dragged on and felt like an eternity. Pictures flashed through my head. Sitting in class, giggling over the cute program in the first row with Paige. Laughing with her and Rox and Lynon about little things shouldn't have been but were hilarious, graduation, jumping up and down with everyone because we had finally accomplished our dream of opening a new hospital. Celebrating with her, my old best friend.

But those good memories that had momentarily filled me up with a remembered joy were quickly overrun by the bad. I felt my insides being crushed again. Just like they had been two millicycles ago when the news had come informing me that not only had the brand new hospital, our life's work, been destroyed, but my friends were gone too. Not all of them were dead though, they told me. Paige had left to become a soldier. It almost hurt more that way. To know that your friend had deserted everything that they had cared about in a desperate attempt to escape everything and that you would never see them again. For a long time I had blamed myself for losing Paige. I figure if I had been there, not out searching for medical recruits, something we should have been doing together, I might not have lost her to the Occupation.

It takes probably longer than it should have for me to snap out of the memory daydream. But I don't feel too anxious about it once my eyes refocus because according to the glazed look shining over Paige's gaze she was experiencing something similar.

"I'm sorry," I apologize, looking down. "That was uncalled for. I shouldn't have..." I didn't know how to finish. But I now knew I had to remember who I was talking to now. Not a friend anymore, an officer.

"It's fine," Paige relents. I dared to reunite our gazes and I found her amber gaze waiting. And if I dared, I'd say that I could've detected a trace of regret beneath the divisive cool Commanding cover that usually shielded them. "I chose what I did and we can't change that now..."

I stare at her questioningly but before I can ask anything else she clears her throat and exclaims, "Right then. Anyways, the actual reason I'm here is you may be aware that last night there was a disturbance in this neighborhood with the Renegade."

My defensive shield flies up immediately. I work to keep my face calm and try feigning interest through the prying guilt and alarm that I swear is plastered all over my face. Swallowing thickly I say "The Renegade again? Hasn't he been apprehended yet?" Mentally I slap myself. Stop sounding so guilty, I command. And stop asking questions. You've got the vigilante in your closet for Flynn's sake. Answer her questions and then get her out of here!

"Well no, and that's actually the problem," Paige states glancing down at her electronic pad. "It was rumoured that he was injured during an attempted vandalism. Many of our operatives tracked him into this area and had it quarantined but when it was searched there was no trace of him anywhere. And if our information is correct, he should've either derezzed by now or been found by one of our Recognizers because the injuries were too severe. I'm here to see if you've seen anything suspicious lately."

"Nothing out of the usual," I lie through my teeth.

"Are you positive," she questions. "Nothing out of the ordinary? Has anyone come into the hospital lately with any pressing injuries?"

One, I think to myself. But instead I say "No actually. It's actually been pretty quiet around here lately." Apparently I was a good enough actress after all. Or a good enough liar, my subconscious accuses.

"Hmm," Paige muses, seeming disappointed. "Well, there goes yet another dead end," she mutters to herself. Then speaking louder and directing the conversation at me she informs "Usually, I would ask for your disk and subject it to a quick search in case there was something that you missed,"

My heart literally stops in my chest. My last breath seems to plunge into my stomach.

"But... I already know you're not a program to overlook any small details so I'll give you a pass on this one and save us both some trouble."

I try not to sag in relief as I stare at her in small astonishment. Paige turns to leave. I watch in stunned silence, knowing that I should say something else but not coming up with the words. Luckily, Paige has some in mind. Stopping, she turns back slightly gives me a small smile.

"Congratulations on your career, Syra," she says. But not as a Commander. She says it as a friend. "We always knew you'd be a great medic."

I try to smile back even when my throat strains against the emotional tightness that seemed to have taken hold of it. Paige turns around and begins to walk away. For real this time.

"Paige," I call our after her. She stops and glances back. I just stand there for a moment, the words that need to be said float around in my mind but won't form into a sentence. Finally they do. "You would've been a great medic too," I say quietly.

She smiles again... but says nothing. Instead she just turns around and marches off into the alley. Off to interrogate some other program about the criminal I was harboring in my apartment.

I sigh and close the door, separating myself from my past with a quiet click.